What circular connectors for tube stuff?

[Ilya]

Gents, I'm looking for a circular connector for external PSU for my tube projects. Obviously, the connector has to be rated for 300V DC or more.

I've browsed through Mouser catalogue and found some MIL spec Amphenol connectors (700V rated), but they are somewhat expensive: ~11$ for a panel mount receptacle and ~33$ for a plug. 5 contacts.

Are there any alternatives for those connectors? Neutriks are rated for 50V and I believe that all HV connections must be screw type for safety...

 

[Conviction]

What about Speakon? DC rating should be fairly high.

Best,
Olle

 

[Ilya]

Speakons are not to be used as power connectors (as per Neutrik recommendation). I'd rather not risk if the manufacturer advises so.

Besides, they are quite bulky.

 

[Conviction]

powerCON. My bad!

I would think the  dielectric and DC isolation ratings are sufficient even in Speakons though.
But better not risk it then (and not if you think they're too bulky).

 

[Ilya]

Yeah, but unfortunately PowerCONs have only 3 terminals. I'm looking for at least 4-5 terminals (GND, HT, Heater, P48)

But man they are cheap!

 

[ruffrecords]

I have been asking myself the same question lately and at the moment I am leaning towards the TE Connectivity (AMP) CPC  (Circular Plastic Connector) range. In particular I am looking at their 9 pin products. Here's a page from Farnell about them:

http://uk.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?catalogId=15001&langId=44&storeId=10151&categoryId=700000005038&pageSize=25&showResults=true&pf=110160550,110179367

but wading through the plethora of options is a PITA.

Cheers

Ian

 

[audiomixer]

Powercon and to a smaller extent Speakon should not be misused for DC wiring. Powercon is made for mains, and in the equipments second live (after you) the next owner could miswire it to mains voltage.... Ian's problem is that there are too many different connectors available already. re purposing Speakon has been done in the past, I have seen consoles with DC supply over speakon. while not that tragic, I still think that its a bad engineering practice.

- Michael